Page:Anthology of Japanese Literature.pdf/376

372 {| Sakura wa nami ni Uzumorete Hana no ue kogu Ama no tsuribune A cherry tree is covered At times by the waves: Fishermen must row their boats Above the cherry blossoms.
 * Kisagata no
 * At Kisagata
 * }

Near the water is a tomb they say is the Empress Jingū’s, and the temple standing near it is called the Ebb-and-Flow-Pearl Temple. I had never before heard that the Empress had come to this region. I wonder if it can be true.

Seated within a little room of the temple, I rolled up the bamboo blinds and took in all at once the whole spectacle of Kisagata. To the south loomed Mount Chōkai, supporting the heavens; its image was reflected in the water. I could see the road to the west as far as Muyamuya Barrier, and to the east an embankment along the water, over which the road leads to Akita far in the distance. The sea is to the north. The place where the waves of the sea break into the lagoon is called Tide-crossing. Kisagata is about two miles in either direction.

In appearance Kisagata is much like Matsushima, but there is a difference. Matsushima seems to be smiling, while Kisagata wears a look of sorrow. There is a sadness mingled with the silent calm of Kisagata as though of a troubled soul.

Today we passed through the most dangerous places in the north country, known as “Parents Forget their Children,” “Children Forget their Parents,” “Dogs Go Back,” and “Colts Return.” I was so exhausted that I drew my pillow to me and lay down as soon as we reached an inn. I could hear the voices of young women, probably two of them, talking in a room one removed from ours at the western end of the house. The voice of an old man also joined in the conversation, and I gathered from their words that the women